The 10 Best Kids Drones

We spent 40 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top selections for this wiki. With all the recent talk (and newsworthy crash-landings) of UAVs, it's no surprise that remote-controlled aircraft top a growing number of kids' wish lists. But there's no need to spend a fortune, when inexperience and reckless flying may see your investment smashed to smithereens within minutes – or even seconds – of takeoff. These kid-friendly drones offer all the fun without breaking the bank.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work.
Skip to the best kids drone on Amazon.

We spent 40 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top selections for this wiki. With all the recent talk (and newsworthy crash-landings) of UAVs, it's no surprise that remote-controlled aircraft top a growing number of kids' wish lists. But there's no need to spend a fortune, when inexperience and reckless flying may see your investment smashed to smithereens within minutes – or even seconds – of takeoff. These kid-friendly drones offer all the fun without breaking the bank.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work.
Skip to the best kids drone on Amazon.

10. Syma X11

Offering playful agility in a small, colorful package, the Syma X11 is a budget-friendly starter drone for beginners. Six-axis gyro stabilization, bright LEDs and a quick charging time make it entertaining and easy to fly, but one good crash may be the end of it.

9. Hubsan X4 H107

If you shudder to imagine the mischief a youngster at the controls of amateur surveillance gear might get into, the Hubsan X4 H107 could be the answer to your prayers. It's compact, durable enough to survive high-flying antics, and conspicuously lacks a camera.

8. JJRC H36

Even in the toy category, quads just don't get much more affordable – or nano – than the JJRC H36, making it a great option for youthful and first-time pilots to get the hang of buzzing the landscape and working the controls with a minimal risk of collateral damage.

7. UDI U45W

The HD camera, one-touch liftoff, altitude hold and customized routing functions of the UDI U45W make it easy for pilots-in-training to get their gear airborne and keep it on course long enough to enjoy the view from above or maybe snap a few selfies.

6. MJX X400W

Packing the capabilities of higher-end models into a less costly, lightweight and durable airframe, the MJX X400W features beginner and expert speed modes, 3D flip function and real-time HD image delivery, although a bit of adult supervision may be in order for camera use.

4. Holy Stone HS170 Predator 2

There are plenty of thrills to be had at the controls of the Holy Stone HS170 Predator 2, but for more action, multiple users can pilot (and race) their quadcopters simultaneously, using a dedicated controller for each and allowing for brief cooldown periods between heats.

3. WowWee R.E.V. Air

Designed for playful combat and trackless racing, WowWee R.E.V. Air copter and race car matchups are great for engaging in a little friendly competition. And keeping an eye on the app-based action without losing control of the vehicles builds coordination skills.

2. Eachine E012HW

The Eachine E012HW may not take professional-quality photos, but with GPS and FPV capabilities, this itty-bitty winger is a great choice for toying around with aerial acrobatics and streaming video, and it won't have you cringing if it crash-lands on the playground.

1. Holy Stone HS190

Pulling off aerial acrobatics and entertaining stunts with ease, the Holy Stone HS190 is as fun to fly as it is inexpensive. With its foldable design and compact controller, it can be tucked safely into a backpack or pocket to accompany young pilots wherever they roam.

We Will Try Not To Drone On

Kids drones, otherwise known as quad-copters, are a condensed version of the typical drones used for recreation by adults. A drone is considered an “unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).” There are other uses for the word, but this is the one that many people think of when considering a drone.

The military uses drones for surveillance and other operations. They operate via an on board computer system and can be controlled from the ground. A kids drone is a recreational machine that is powered much the same way but on a smaller scale.

Some are designed to be simple to use and can fly or hover above the ground at varying speeds. Some can even perform tricks and flips through the air and have a long range for continuous outdoor use. Most kids drones are equipped with rechargeable batteries and can be set aside at night and left to charge so they are ready for use the next day.

Some kids drones are equipped with attractive LED lights so they can be flown at night. Many require FAA registration depending on how high they fly and the areas in which they are used. They are built with long-range transmitters and multiple flight modes so they can be easily controlled.

There are kids drones that have a significant learning curve and can be frustrating to operate at first even when following the instructions. They are often built to withstand bumps and crashes and can be repaired with included spare parts.

Still some can be connected to a computer or USB charger for easy recharging and file transfers from a large gigabyte memory card. These are perfect for storing pictures taken during flight. This has been a convenient feature often utilized by the media, photographers, researchers, and other professions. The memory cards included in kids drones are intended specifically for recreational use.

Don't Take Off Just Yet

Before running out and buying a drone for your child's next birthday or Christmas gift, consider all of the factors that could enhance or hinder the experience.

Give the neighbors courtesy and privacy. Set boundaries with your child regarding the drone. Some neighbors might not be excited at the prospect, and others might have legitimate privacy concerns, especially if your drone is equipped with a camera.

Check the local laws to ensure that drones are legal in your area. Check local state laws in addition to neighborhood rules and ordinances. Monitor UAV news outlets because drone photography can be a big deal in some areas. Finally, check out the FAA regulations because they are constantly changing.

Keep in mind that a drone is not a toy, even if it is intended for recreation. Talk with your child about how to properly use his drone before allowing the first flight. Children will often have to learn definitions that are generally specific to pilots. Check out a list of commonly used terms, and go over that list with your child.

Make sure your child gets ample practice. They often have a significant learning curve and are not as simple as setting up and taking off. They take time and practice, and learning to deal with accidents and crashes will be a must. Practicing with a drone specifically designed for indoor flight might be the best bet for beginners.

Finally, consider the amount of maintenance that your chosen drone might require. Teaching your child to be responsible and aware of his surroundings will help reduce accidents and subsequently reduce the cost of maintenance and repair.

A Brief History Of The Kids Drone

When a drone springs to mind, we often think of the ones designed for military use. While it is true that many countries across the world utilize them in their armed forces, drones or UAVs have many uses besides military surveillance and defense.

It can be argued that the world’s first drones were hot air balloons used in the American Civil War. The armies used them to drop explosives on the enemy. These original drones worked by releasing the bottom of the balloon basket on a timer in order to drop the explosives in a specified area. And in 1916, Archibald M. Low made one of the first attempts at a UAV with the “Aerial Target.”

By the 1930s, UAVs were being used by pilots as combat training tools. They created an opportunity for a military pilot to practice shooting down another plane without risking harming a fellow pilot. The Nazis introduced the V-1 during World War II and caused significant casualties to the Allies. It was because of this that the United States was propelled to develop their own UAV program.

Military drones still require significant training and a pilot’s license in order to operate. However, because of today’s advanced technology UAVs eliminate the need for a pilot to actually be on board the plane. This goes a long way in reducing war casualties and unnecessary injury and loss of life during test flight operations. These drones are operated using GPS or other on board computer navigation systems.

Some other uses for drones are to perform geographic surveys, home security, monitoring livestock, road patrols and other police force operations, media, photography, anti-piracy, and many others. Some companies, such as Amazon, are even experimenting with the possibility of using drones to make deliveries on customer purchases.

Wiki Granular Update & Revision Log

Related Wikis

help support our research

An itinerant wordsmith with an alphabet-soup of credentials to her name, Lydia has turned iconoclasm into a livelihood of sorts, throwing herself into a broad constellation of interests. From antithetical cultural analysis to interdisciplinary combat training, she bears the scars and stripes of an uncommon diversity of experience. Reading, biking and exploring are favorite pastimes, but – with the notable exceptions of joining a religious order (not on speaking terms with a higher power) and becoming an artist (can’t even draw a respectable stick-figure) – she’d try almost anything once.

Thanks for reading the fine print. About the Wiki: We don't accept sponsorships,
free goods, samples, promotional products, or other benefits from any of the product brands featured on this page, except
in cases where those brands are manufactured by the retailer to which we are linking.
For our full ranking methodology, please read about us, linked below. The Wiki is a participant in associate programs
from Amazon, Walmart, Ebay, Target, and others, and may earn advertising fees
when you use our links to these websites. These fees will not increase your purchase price,
which will be the same as any direct visitor to the merchant’s website.
If you believe that your product should be included
in this review, you may contact us, but we cannot guarantee a response, even if you send us flowers.